The number of star athletes involved in steroid use cases is growing. Just recently, Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was suspended by the Major League Baseball (MLB) for drug violation. His case is an addition to the so-called Steroids Era. Dodge general manager Ned Colleti even expressed that it is a “dark day for baseball and certainly for this organization.” This organization will never condone anything that it isn’t clean.”

The Dodgers star however denied these allegations and said that he did not take steroids and was given medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance. A person who is familiar with Ramirez’s suspension said that he used the female fertility drug known as the human chorionic gonadotropin or the HCG. This drug can be used by steroid users after they complete steroid cycles to get their bodies to once again naturally produce testosterone.

The suspension on Ramirez was actually based on the evidence obtained afterward and not on the spring training urine test result. The 50-game suspension began on Thursday and this will lose him about $7.65 million of his $25 million salary. Meanwhile, baseball commissioner Bud Selig refused to give statements regarding the issue because of provisions of the management-union drug agreement. In the long list of stars who have been implicated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Jose Canseco, Ramirez is also one of the most prominent suspended player under the drug policy on players and owners.

Ranked 17th on the career home run list with 533, Ramirez’s suspension is a huge blow for the Dodgers in terms of financial aspects. The slugger has been solely responsible for increasing attendance, merchandise sales and interest in the team. In addition, it is also Ramirez who helped the team win the NL West after his late season arrival in 2008. His suspension also comes a day after his team broke the modern major league record for a home winning streak to open a season with their 13th consecutive win.

Ramirez also tried to make amends, telling the Dodgers and fans that he was sorry for the “whole situation.” In his statement, he said that he wants to “apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me, and I know everybody is disappointed.”

Ramirez is the third player suspended this year under the major league program after Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro also received a 10-day suspension in 2005, the first year of penalties for first infractions.

Ramirez was acquired by the Dodgers from Red Sox last July 31 after the long-running drama of contract negotiations. He finally agreed to a $45 million contract after the start of the spring training and instantly became a fan favorite. He has a two-year contract that gives him the right to void the second season and be a free agent once again.

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